|
Author: Vincent Poulbere
Mobile TV made the headlines at 3GSM in Barcelona last week. Almost every vendor on the infrastructure or handset side had something to show in this area. These efforts are geared towards the implementation of 'Phase 2' of the mobile TV market, after the implementation of early mobile TV services for the launch of 3G consumer services. This Phase 2 of mobile TV solutions is basically about making the transition towards services for a wider audience, with higher image and audio quality, adapted tariff models, and more appealing services.
The main component of mobile TV Phase 2 is the implementation of a broadcast solution to transmit TV channels - as well as radio and some data channels. Looking at the numerous contrasting solutions promoted at 3GSM, there is no clear consensus emerging. Mobile operators and broadcasters have a choice between either implementing evolutions of the cellular networks to support broadcast (e.g. using MBMS, as promoted by Ericsson, or IP Wireless's TDtv solution), or implementing a distinct infrastructure for broadcast (with solutions such as DVB-H, T-DMB, Qualcomm's MediaFLO or Alcatel's satellite DVB-H).
Comment: After listening to the various parties during the show, we came up with some conclusions on the subject:
T-DMB and DVB-H are the two most mature broadcast solutions, and are the most advanced in terms of technology and associated products. A scenario where both T-DMB and DVB-H are deployed in Europe now seems realistic.
Other broadcast solutions, Qualcomm's MediaFLO or Alcatel's satellite DVB-H, have attractive assets, but vendors' ambitious claims still need to be checked in trials, and handset supply remains an issue.
Integration of broadcast channels with the rest of their mobile TV services offerings will be an important decision factor for the operators. Many players forget that operators' mobile TV services are not limited to broadcasting mass-market live channels, but include on-demand content, interactive services and TV channels for niches.
Solutions based on an upgrade of the cellular infrastructure should appeal to mobile operators. They avoid the complexity - and the costs - of setting up a dedicated broadcast network, and enable operators to easily introduce evolutions of the existing 3G mobile TV services.
Wholesale is emerging as an interesting model for setting up and managing broadcast networks. It is based on having a single player or a consortium building one shared network, dealing with content providers to get the channels, and selling these channels to several mobile operators, who in turn package the service and distribute to their customers.
2005 was pretty much a "test and wait" year regarding future solutions for mobile TV. In 2006 tests will continue, especially to check the capabilities of the various solutions, but we also expect decisions to be taken, leading to concrete deployments in 2007.
|
